Outcome SEN_D_3.1

By 2028, social protection systems and basic social services ensure equitable, inclusive and quality access for the most vulnerable people, particularly those living in landlocked, peri-urban, rural or border areas (UNSDCF Outcome 2).

During the reporting period, tangible progress was made toward strengthening equitable, inclusive, and quality access to social protection systems and basic social services for vulnerable populations, particularly in rural, peri-urban, and border areas. Interventions focused on reinforcing policy frameworks, decentralised planning, and service delivery systems to address structural barriers affecting women, survivors of violence, and populations with limited access to services. At the policy and institutional level, progress was achieved in advancing a gender-responsive legal framework through the full drafting and validation of the Law on Women’s Economic Empowerment , which includes provisions aimed at improving women’s access to economic opportunities, financial services, entrepreneurship support, and public procurement. While the law has not yet been adopted, its validation by key stakeholders represents a critical step toward strengthening inclusive social and economic protection mechanisms aligned with national priorities and international commitments. At sub-national level, eight (8) gender-responsive Communal Development Plans (PDCs) were developed through inclusive and participatory processes involving women, women’s organizations, local authorities, and technical services. These plans integrate gender equality across priority sectors, including local economic development, social services, and climate resilience, and provide an operational framework for improving access to basic services and social protection for vulnerable groups at the territorial level. Access to essential services for survivors of violence against women and girls was further strengthened through seven targeted initiatives aimed at improving the availability, quality, and coordination of services. These included capacity-building for national police on securing public spaces and addressing cyberviolence; training of healthcare providers and social workers on gynecological and obstetric violence; and technical and financial support for the acquisition of a mobile clinic in the Podor health district , directly contributing to improved access to maternal and reproductive health services in a remote area. In parallel, more than 30 legal professionals were trained through the e-justice project to enhance access to justice via legal aid centers, while additional trainings strengthened psychosocial and referral services through call center agents and gender focal points under the Safe Cities initiative. The signing of a clinical care protocol by five sectoral ministries (Family, Health, Armed Forces, Interior, and Justice) marked a major milestone toward harmonized, standardized, and coordinated responses for survivors across sectors. Finally, national demographic and health data underline persistent structural challenges affecting access to reproductive health services. While the prevalence of modern contraception among women in unions increased steadily between 2012 and 2019, reaching 26%, 2023 data indicate a stabilization at this level, alongside persistently high fertility ideals. These trends highlight the continued need for integrated social protection and service delivery approaches that combine service availability with efforts to address underlying social norms, particularly in underserved and vulnerable areas. Overall, these combined policy, planning, and service delivery efforts contributed to strengthening more inclusive and responsive social protection systems and basic social services, advancing progress toward Outcome SEN_D_3.1.

By 2028, social protection systems and basic social services ensure equitable, inclusive and quality access for the most vulnerable people, particularly those living in landlocked, peri-urban, rural or border areas (UNSDCF Outcome 2).

Support to the Ministry of Health through the Kolda Health Directorate has helped reduce geographical disparities and make health services accessible to women and girls living in the most remote areas, particularly border areas with Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Guinea Conakry. UN Women supported the Kolda CEDAF for the psychological care and reintegration of victims of violence living in rural areas. More than 100 women have benefited from UN Women's support to carry out income-generating activities. The training of paralegals by the Senegalese Association of Lawyers has contributed to access to justice services for women and girls living in remote areas. UN Women's support to state institutions has enabled the national police to carry out awareness-raising activities for the population, which has greatly contributed to the reporting and referencing of cases of violence. The police-civilian population approach is an innovation in the management of violence. Also, the improvement of the frameworks and space for welcoming and listening to victims of violence has made it possible to equip six (6) police stations, for better management of cases of violence Efforts have been made in the training of health, justice, security, economic and social rehabilitation service providers, but also in improving reception and accommodation centers and spaces for victims through partnerships with the police, the Kayam center and the Kullimarro center. These initiatives will be strengthened to facilitate care and improve services through training for providers and the development of reception and care spaces for women and girls who are victims of violence.